Creating Country that rocks
Bo Steele and Ben Rubino are the Band Steele. They’ve been friends since they met in high school in Winston County, Alabama. After a video of Bo singing in a hospital waiting room went viral, they became celebrities appearing on local television and the nationally-syndicated Rick and Bubba radio show. They are now signed to indie label Fire River Records.
Bo and Ben are currently touring to support their new album, MOON IN A MASON JAR. ‘Good Times,’ one of the tracks on the album, is featured in the movie ‘Life on the Line’ starring John Travolta, Kate Bosworth and Sharon Stone. (Bo also secured a role in the movie!)
The Band Steele sat down to talk with me just after Fan Fest 2018. Or rather, Ben could talk, but Bo, who was suffering from strained vocal cords, was under doctor’s order to have complete vocal rest. Ben spoke for both of them while the normally talkative Bo wrote some notes that he could share with Ben and me during the interview.
This is one of a series of interviews that I conducted with rising singer/songwriters during CMA Fest to find out about their new music, their musical influences and their experience at CMA Fest.
Playing on Broadway
Preshias Harris: Tell us what was one of the highlights of CMA Fest 2018 for you? And did you get to see any of your favorite artists?
Ben Rubino: We were too busy to see any of our favorite artists. But my highlight would be that we got to play down on Broadway at The Valentine. Just playing on Broadway, that’s what Nashville’s all about. So that was my highlight for sure.
PH: Was there any moment this year, interacting with fans, that stood out for you?
BR: So hard for me to pinpoint a moment. But the reaction from everybody, it was just amazing. I remember we were playing Alley Taps in Printers Alley and there was this table off to our left. We were jammin’ and they were just loving it! They were complete strangers and they were in that moment where I was at and it was just awesome!
PH: So the stars just lined up?
BR: Yeah, it was just a good feeling!
PH: Was this your first CMA Fest?
BR: It was our first time performingat CMA Fest.
PH: What were your main influences when you were growing up?